Guide boot for a fiber-optic cable

ABSTRACT

A preferred embodiment of a guide boot for a fiber-optic cable mechanically coupled to a connector comprises a mating portion having an interior surface defining a passage for receiving a portion of the connector and the fiber-optic cable, and a plurality of ribs formed on the interior surface and extending along at least a portion of a length of the mating portion. A preferred embodiment of a guide boot also comprises a body portion adjoining the mating portion and having an interior surface that defines a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable. The interior surface of the body portion is curved so that the body portion bends the fiber-optic cable.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/342,627,filed Jan. 15, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,780, the contents of whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fiber-optic cable used for theconducting optical signals. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a guide boot for bending a fiber-optic cable, and maintainingthe bend radius of the fiber-optic cable at or above a predeterminedvalue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fiber-optic cables are commonly used to transmit optical signals betweenoptoelectronic devices. A conventional fiber-optic cable can include anoptically-conductive optical fiber, and a protective inner jacket thatsurrounds the optical fiber and protects the optical fiber frombuckling. The inner jacket can be surrounded by a layer of protectivefibers having sufficient strength to withstand the maximum anticipatedtensile forces on the fiber-optic cable. The protective fibers can beenclosed in a flexible outer jacket.

Excessive bending or twisting of a fiber-optic cable can degrade thequality of the optical signals transmitted through the fiber-opticcable. In extreme cases, excessive bending or twisting can break theoptical fiber within the fiber-optic cable. In practice, fiber-opticcables must often be bent to facilitate routing to, from, or withinequipment such as computers, connector panels, junction boxes, etc.Accordingly, fiber-optic cables are typically evaluated to determine aminimum bend radius. The minimum bend radius represents the minimumradius at which the fiber-optic can be bent without potentiallydegrading signal-transmission quality, or damaging the optical fiberwithin the fiber-optic cable.

Connectors are commonly used to couple fiber-optic cables to otherfiber-optic cables, or to optoelectronic devices such as sources,detectors, repeaters, switches, attenuators, etc. The point at which afiber-optic cable enters a connector is particularly susceptible tobeing bent in excess of, i.e., more sharply than, the minimum bendradius for the fiber-optic cable.

A guide boot is often used to maintain the bend radius of a fiber-opticcable at or above the minimum bend radius as the fiber-optic cableapproaches and enters a connector. FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a conventionalguide boot 100 used in conjunction with an LC-type connector 102 and afiber-optic cable 104. The figures are each referenced to a commoncoordinate system 11 depicted therein.

The cable 104 is mechanically coupled to the connector 102 using ametallic crimp sleeve 106 and a shrink tube 108 (see FIG. 1B). The crimpsleeve 106 is crimped over a substantially cylindrical rear matingportion 102 a of the connector 102. The shrink tube 108 securely graspsthe crimp sleeve 106 and the outer jacket of the cable 104, and therebysecures the cable 104 to the crimp sleeve 106 (and the connector 102).

The guide boot 100 has passages formed therein for receiving the cable104. The guide boot 100 is mated with the connector 102 by threading afree end of the cable 104 through the passages, and advancing the guideboot 100 along the cable 104.

A forward, or mating, portion 112 of the guide boot 100 eventuallyreaches the crimp sleeve 106 as the guide boot 100 is advanced along thecable 104, as shown in FIG. 1B. A force (hereinafter referred to as an“insertion force”) is exerted on the guide boot 100 to advance themating portion 112 over the crimp sleeve 106 (and over the portion ofthe shrink tube 108 installed over the crimp sleeve 106), in thedirection denoted by the arrow 120 in FIG. 1B.

The crimp sleeve 106 becomes disposed within the passage in the matingportion 112 as the guide boot 100 is advanced over the crimp sleeve 106.The insertion force needed to advance the guide boot 100 is due, inpart, to friction between an inner surface 116 of the mating portion112, and the portion of the shrink tube 108 installed over the crimpsleeve 106. The guide boot 100 is retained on the connector 102primarily by friction between the inner surface 116 of the matingportion 112 and the crimp sleeve 106.

The guide boot 100 includes a curved body portion 116. The body portion116 should have a radius of curvature approximately equal to or greaterthan the minimum bend radius of the cable 104. The body portion 116imparts a corresponding curve to the cable 100 when the cable 100 isinstalled the passage 110. The body portion 116 is sufficiently rigid toprevent the cable 104 from being bent in excess of its minimum bendradius.

The guide boot 100 can be rotated in relation to the connector 102 todirect the cable 104 toward a desired location. The guide boot 100 isrotated by imparting a torque to the guide boot 100 sufficient toovercome the friction between the inner surface 116 of the matingportion 112 and the crimp sleeve 106. (The cable 104, which is securedto the connector 102 by way of the shrink tube 108 and the crimp sleeve106, normally rotates with the mating portion 112, and in a perfectworld would do so without any twist being imparted thereon.)

However, the insertion force needed to advance the guide boot 100 overthe shrink tube 108 until it reaches the crimp sleeve 106 in manyinstances damages the shrink tube 108. Such is shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D.In particular, the force needed to overcome the friction between theinner surface 116 of the mating portion 112 and the portion of the outersurface of the shrink tube 108 installed over the crimp sleeve 106 willdeform, tear, or otherwise damage the shrink tube 108.

This damage to the shrink tube 108 can cause the shrink tube 108 to loseits firm grasp of the rear mating portion 102 a of the connector 102.Furthermore, damage to the shrink tube 108 will result in a loss of thefrictional/interference fit between the shrink tube 108 and innersurface 116. Thus, rotating the guide boot 100 to a desired orientationon the connector 102 when the shrink tube 108 has been damaged and itsgrasp on the rear mating portion 102 a of the connector 102 lost, cancause a corresponding rotation of the cable 104. Rotating the cable 104in this manner will twist the underlying optical fiber, which isindependently restrained from rotation within the connector 102.Twisting the optical fiber can degrade the light-conductingcharacteristics thereof, and can thereby decrease the quality of thesignals transmitted through the cable 104. Moreover, twisting of theoptical fiber, if extreme, can break the optical fiber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of a guide boot for a fiber-optic cablemechanically coupled to a connector comprises a mating portion having aninterior surface defining a passage for receiving a portion of theconnector and the fiber-optic cable, and a plurality of ribs formed onthe interior surface and extending along at least a portion of a lengthof the mating portion. A preferred embodiment also comprises a bodyportion adjoining the mating portion and having an interior surface thatdefines a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable. The interiorsurface of the body portion is curved so that the body portion bends thefiber-optic cable.

A preferred embodiment of a guide boot for bending a fiber-optic cablemechanically coupled to a connector by way of a crimp sleeve and ashrink tube comprises a mating portion. The mating portion has aninterior surface defining a passage for receiving the crimp sleeve and aportion of the shrink tube installed over the crimp sleeve. The passagehas a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the portion of theshrink tube installed over the crimp sleeve and the interior surface hasa plurality of ribs formed thereon for contacting the crimp sleeve. Apreferred embodiment also comprises a body portion adjoining the matingportion and having an interior surface defining a passage for receivingthe fiber-optic cable.

A preferred embodiment of a system for conducting optical signalscomprises a connector, a crimp sleeve fixed to the connector, afiber-optic cable, and a shrink tube having a first portion fixed to thecrimp sleeve and a second portion fixed to the fiber-optic cable. Apreferred embodiment also comprises a guide boot comprising a matingportion. The mating portion has an interior surface defining a passagefor receiving the crimp sleeve and the first portion of the shrink tube.The passage has a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the firstportion of the shrink tube and the interior surface has a plurality ofribs formed thereon for contacting the crimp sleeve. The mating portionalso comprises a body portion adjoining the mating portion and having aninterior surface defining a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable.

A preferred method for mating a guide boot with a connector mechanicallycoupled to a fiber-optic cable by way of a crimp sleeve and a shrinktube comprises inserting the fiber-optic cable through a passage formedin the guide boot, advancing the guide boot along the fiber-optic cable,advancing the guide boot onto the crimp sleeve so that a plurality ofribs formed on an internal surface of the guide boot interferely contactthe crimp sleeve and a portion of the shrink tube installed over thecrimp sleeve, and rotating the shrink tube so that the fiber-optic cableextends from the guide boot in a desired direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofa presently-preferred embodiment, is better understood when read indrawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawingsshow an embodiment that is presently preferred. The invention is notlimited, however, to the specific instrumentalities disclosed in thedrawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a conventional guide boot installed on a fiberoptic cable and mated with a connector mechanically coupled to thefiber-optic cable;

FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic side view of a portion of the conventionalguide boot shown in FIG. 1 as the guide boot is mated with the connectorshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1C is a cross sectional view showing the installation of theconventional guide boot shown in FIG. 1A and 1B being installed on thefiber optic cable and mated with the connector as shown in FIGS. 1A and1B;

FIG. 1D is a cross sectional view of the conventional guide bootinstalled on the fiber optic cable and mated with the connector shown inFIGS. 1A-1C, and showing the damage caused by the installation thereof;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a guide bootinstalled on a fiber optic cable and mated with a connector mechanicallycoupled to the fiber-optic cable;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector and the fiber-optic cable shownin FIG. 2, without the guide boot shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the area designated “D”in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the guide boot shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the guide boot shown in FIGS. 1 and5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the guide boot shown in FIGS. 1, 5,and 6, taken along the line “E—E” of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a portion of the guide boot shown in FIGS. 1and 5-7; and

FIG. 9 is a rear view of a portion of the guide boot shown in FIGS. 1and 5-8.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of a portion of the guide boot shownin FIGS. 2 and 5-9 as the guide boot is mated with the connector shownin FIGS. 2-4;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of a guide boot 10 for a fiber-optic cable isdepicted in FIGS. 2 and 5-10. The figures, as noted previously, are eachreferenced to a common coordinate system 11 depicted therein. The guideboot 10 is described in conjunction with a conventional LC-typefiber-optic connector 12. The use of the guide boot 10 in combinationwith the connector 12 is disclosed for exemplary purposes only. Theguide boot 10 can be used with other types of fiber-optic connectorsincluding, for example, SC-type connectors.

The guide boot 10 can receive a fiber-optic cable 14 optically andmechanically coupled to the connector 12 (see FIGS. 2-4). The guide boot10 can be used to bend the fiber-optic cable 14 as the cable 14 exitsthe connector 12. Moreover, the guide boot 10 can be rotated in relationto the connector 12 to vary the direction in which the cable 14 extendsfrom the connector 12.

The cable 14 comprises an optical fiber 16 (see FIG. 4). The opticalfiber 16 includes a core formed from a substantially transparentmaterial, and cladding that surrounds the core. The cladding is formedfrom a substantially transparent material having an index of refractionthat differs from that of the core. The optical fiber 16 is enclosed bya flexible inner jacket 18 formed from a suitable thermoplasticmaterial. The jacket 18 has sufficient stiffness to inhibit buckling ofthe optical fiber 16.

The jacket 18 is surrounded by a layer of fibers 20. The fibers 20 areformed from a material, such as KEVLAR, having sufficient strength towithstand the maximum anticipated tensile forces on the cable 14. Thefibers 20 are enclosed by a flexible outer jacket 22 formed from, forexample, polyvinyl chloride. Further details of the cable 14 are notnecessary to an understanding of the invention, and therefore are notpresented herein. Moreover, it should be noted that specific details ofthe cable 14 are presented for exemplary purposes only. The guide boot10 can be used in conjunction with other types of fiber-optic cables.

The cable 14 is mechanically coupled to the connector 12 as depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4. In particular, the outer jacket 22 is stripped from anend portion of the cable 14, thereby exposing the underlying layer offibers 20 and the inner jacket 18. A metallic crimp sleeve 24 and ashrink tube 26 are placed over the outer sleeve 22, proximate theexposed fibers 20 and inner jacket 18. The exposed inner jacket 18 (andthe underlying optical fiber 16) are inserted into the connector 12 byway of a substantially cylindrical mating portion 12 a thereof.

The exposed fibers 20 are positioned around the mating portion 12 a asthe inner jacket 18 and the optical fiber 16 are inserted into theconnector 12. A forward portion of the crimp sleeve 24 is placed overthe mating portion 12 a so that the exposed fibers 20 are positionedbetween the mating portion 12 a and the crimp sleeve 24. The forwardportion of the crimp sleeve 24 is subsequently crimped over the matingportion 12 a, thereby securing the crimp sleeve 24 to the connector 12.

A portion of the shrink tube 26 is positioned over a rearward portion ofthe crimp sleeve 24, as shown in FIG. 4. The shrink tube 26 issubsequently heated using, for example, a conventional heat gun. Theshrink tube 26 shrinks in response to the heating thereof. The shrinkageof the shrink tube 26 causes the shrink tube 26 to securely grasp thecrimp sleeve 24 and the outer jacket 22, thereby securing the crimpsleeve 24 (and the connector 12) to the cable 14. In other words, aforward portion of the shrink tube 26 is fixed in place over a rearwardportion of the crimp sleeve 24, and a remainder of the shrink tube 26 isfixed in place over a portion of the cable 14. (A forward portion of thecrimp sleeve 24 is thus exposed, i.e., is not covered by the shrink tube26, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.)

Further details relating to the interface between the connector 12 andthe cable 14 are not necessary to an understanding of the invention, andtherefore are not presented herein. Moreover, the above-describedprocedure for securing the cable 14 to the connector 12 is presented forexemplary purposes only. The cable 14 can be secured to the connector 12using other procedures.

The guide boot 10 receives the cable 14 and the shrink tube 26, andmates with the connector 12. More particularly, a portion of the guideboot 10 can be placed over, i.e., inserted onto, the crimp sleeve 24(and the forward portion of the shrink tube 26 fixed thereto). Theresulting friction between the guide boot 10 and the crimp sleeve 24retains the guide boot 10 on the connector 12.

The design of the guide boot 10 is believed to substantially reduce thefriction that occurs between the guide boot 10 and the shrink tube 26 asthe guide boot 10 is inserted onto the crimp sleeve 24. Hence, thedesign of the guide boot 10 can potentially reduce the insertion forceneeded to mate the guide boot 10 with the connector 12.

The guide boot 10 can be used to bend the cable 14 as the cable 14extends from the connector 12. The guide boot 10 preferably comprises amating portion 28, a body portion 30, and an end portion 31 (see FIGS. 2and 5-9). The mating portion 28 and the end portion 31 adjoin opposingends of the guide boot 10. The mating portion 28 receives crimp sleeve24, and the body portion 30 imparts a bend to the cable 14. The matingportion 28, body portion 30, and end portion 31 are preferably formed ona unitary basis. The guide boot 10 can be formed from a suitableelastomeric material such as ARNITEL 460.

The mating portion 28 is substantially cylindrical, and includes aninterior surface 32. The interior surface 32 defines a passage 34through the mating portion 28 (see, e.g., FIG. 7). The mating portion 28can be inserted over the crimp sleeve 24 so that the passage 34 receivesthe crimp sleeve 24 (and the underlying mating portion 12 a of theconnector 12).

A plurality of elongated projections, or ribs 38, are formed on theinterior surface 32 (see FIGS. 6-9). The ribs 38 extend longitudinally,i.e., in the “x” direction, along the interior surface 32. The ribs 38preferably extend from a forward edge 32 a of the interior surface 32,and span a portion of the length of the interior surface 32 as shown,for example, in FIG. 7. Each rib 38 preferably includes a substantiallyrounded upper surface 38 a (see FIGS. 8 and 9). It should be noted thatthe upper surface 38 a can be formed in other geometric configurations,e.g., square or rectangular, in alternative embodiments.

Six of the ribs 38 are formed on the interior surface 32. Two of theribs 38 are arranged at the respective uppermost and lowermost (12:00and 6:00 o'clock) positions on the interior surface 32 (from theperspective of FIG. 8). The remaining ribs 38 are circumferentiallyspaced from the uppermost or lowermost ribs 38 by an angular distance ofapproximately forty-five degrees. It should be noted that thisparticular configuration for the ribs 38 is disclosed for exemplarypurposes only. Alternative embodiments can include a greater or lessernumber of the ribs 38 circumferentially spaced by angular distancesgreater or less than forty-five degrees. The function of the ribs 38 isdiscussed below.

A forward portion of the shrink tube 26 is fixed to, and covers therearward portion of the crimp sleeve 24, as discussed above. Thediameter of the passage 34 in the guide boot 10 is preferably greaterthan the outer diameter of the forward portion of the shrink tube 26,when the shrink tube 26 is fixed to the crimp sleeve 24 as noted. (Theouter diameter of the forward portion of the shrink tube 26 is denotedby the symbol “A” in FIG. 4.) In other words, a clearance preferablyexists between the interior surface 32 of the mating portion 28 and theforward portion of the shrink tube 26 when the guide boot 10 is matedwith the connector 12. This feature, as discussed below, is believed toreduce the insertion force needed to mate the guide boot 10 with theconnector 12.

The ribs 38 are preferably dimensioned so that the ribs 38 interferewith the forward (exposed) portion of the crimp sleeve 24 when themating portion 28 fully inserted onto the crimp sleeve 24, i.e., whenthe guide boot 10 is fully mated with the connector 12. In other words,the uppermost and lowermost ribs 38 are preferably spaced apart by alinear distance that is less than the outer diameter of the forwardportion of the crimp sleeve 24. (The outer diameter of the forwardportion of the crimp sleeve 24 is denoted by the symbol “B” in FIG. 4,and the linear spacing between the uppermost and lowermost ribs 38 isdenoted by the symbol “C” in FIG. 8). This feature, as explained below,is believed to result in a frictional force between the ribs 38 and thecrimp sleeve 24 when the guide boot 10 is fully mated with the connector12. The frictional force helps to retain the guide boot 10 on theconnector 12.

The mating portion 28 can also comprise an overhang 40. The overhang 40is positioned immediately rearward of the uppermost three of the ribs38, and covers the forward portion of the shrink tube 26 when the guideboot 10 is fully mated with the connector 12. The function of theoverhang 40 is discussed below. It should be noted that alternativeembodiments of the guide boot 10 can be formed without the overhang 40.

The body portion 30 of the guide boot 10 has an interior surface 42 thatdefines a passage 44 within the body portion 30 (see, e.g., FIG. 7). Thepassage 44 adjoins the passage 34 in the mating portion 28, and receivesthe cable 14. The body portion 30 and, in particular, the interiorsurface 42, are curved as shown in the figures. This curvature, asdiscussed below, imparts a corresponding bend to the cable 14 (and theshrink tube 26) when the guide boot 10 in installed on the cable 14. Theradius of curvature of the interior surface 42 should be no less thanthe minimum bend radius of the cable 14.

A window 43 can be formed in the body portion 14 (see, e.g., FIG. 6). Itshould be noted that alternative embodiments of the guide boot 10 can beformed without the window 43.

The end portion 31 of the guide boot 10 is substantially cylindrical,and has an interior surface 46. The interior surface 46 defines apassage 48 within the end portion 31 for receiving the cable 14 (seeFIG. 7). The passage 48 adjoins the passage 44 formed in the bodyportion 30.

The guide boot 10 also comprises an external rib 50. The external rib 50is preferably formed on the exterior of the mating portion 28, bootportion 30, and end portion 31, and extends along the bottom thereof(from the perspective of FIGS. 5-7). The external rib 50 is believed tostiffen the guide boot 10, and in particular, the body portion 30. Theexternal rib 50 thereby assists in maintaining the curvature of the bodyportion 30. Maintaining the curvature of body portion 30 helps to ensurethat the minimum bend radius of the cable 14 is not violated once theguide boot 10 has been installed on the cable 14 and mated with theconnector 12.

The external rib 50 is positioned rearward of each rib 38 on the matingportion 28. Hence, the ribs 38 and the external rib 50 do notsubstantially overlap (from the perspective of FIG. 5). This feature, asdiscussed below, is believed to reduce the insertion force needed tomate the guide boot 10 with the connector 12.

The guide boot 10 can be mated with the connector 12 as follows. Thecable 14 can be inserted into the guide boot 10 after the cable 12 hasbeen optically and mechanically coupled to the connector 10. Inparticular, a free end of the cable 14 can be inserted through themating portion 28, the body portion 30, and the end portion 31 of theguide boot 10 by way of the respective passages 34, 44, 48. The cable 14can be advanced along the length of the cable 14 so that the matingportion 28 eventually reaches the shrink tube 26, and the shrink tube 26becomes disposed within the passages 34, 44, 48.

Further advancement of the guide boot 10 causes the mating portion 28 toreach the crimp sleeve 24 (see FIG. 10). An insertion force can beexerted on the guide boot 10 to insert (advance) the guide boot 10 overthe forward portion of the shrink tube 26, i.e., over the portion of theshrink tube 26 fixed onto the crimp sleeve 24, in the direction denotedby the arrow 60 in FIG. 10. In other words, an insertion forcesufficient to overcome the friction between the mating portion 28 andthe forward portion of the shrink tube 26 can be exerted on the guideboot 10 to cause the crimp sleeve 24 (and the forward portion of theshrink tube 10) to become disposed within the passage 34 in the matingportion 28.

A clearance preferably exists between the interior surface 32 of themating portion 28 and the forward portion of the shrink tube 26, asdiscussed above. Hence, resistance to the advancement of the matingportion 28 onto the crimp sleeve 24 is initially generated primarily byfriction between the ribs 38 and the forward portion of the shrink tube26.

(The uppermost and lowermost ribs 38, as discussed above, are preferablyspaced apart by a linear distance that is less than the outer diameterof the forward portion of the crimp sleeve 24. Notably, the interiorsurface 32 of the mating portion 28 does not substantially contact theforward portion of the shrink tube 28 as the guide boot 10 is advancedonto the crimp sleeve 24 (see FIG. 10). Hence, the interior surface 32does not offer substantial resistance to the advancement of the matingportion 28 onto the crimp sleeve 24. Resistance to the advancement ofthe mating portion 28 is generated primarily by friction between theforward portion of the shrink tube 24 and the relatively small surface38 a of each of the ribs 38. Hence, the insertion force needed toadvance the mating portion 28 over the forward portion of the shrinksleeve 26 is relatively low. The substantial advantages associated withthis feature are discussed below.

The ribs 38 and the external rib 50 of the guide boot 10 do notsubstantially overlap, as discussed above. That is, the external rib 50is positioned rearward of each rib 38 on the mating portion 28. Thisfeature is believed to reduce the insertion force needed to mate theguide boot 10 with the connector 12. More particularly, the rib 50 isbelieved to inhibit radial expansion of the mating portion 28. Theabove-noted interference between the shrink tube 26 and the ribs 38 asthe mating portion 28 is advanced onto the crimp sleeve 24 urges themating portion 28 radially outward. Hence, positioning the external rib50 behind the ribs 38 can permit the mating portion 28 to more readilyexpand in the radial direction in response to the advancement of themating portion 28 over the crimp sleeve 24 (and over the forward portionof the shrink tube 26). This feature can thus reduce the insertion forceneeded to advance the mating portion 28 over the forward portion of theshrink tube 26.

The guide boot 10 is advanced along the cable 14 and the shrink tube 26until a forward edge 28 a of the mating portion 28 abuts a housingportion 12 b of the connector 12 (see FIGS. 2 and 6). The guide boot 10is fully mated with the connector 12 at this point.

The shrink tube 26 is positioned within the passages 34, 44, 48 when theguide boot 10 and the connector 12 are fully mated. Moreover, the ribs38 are in contact primarily with the forward (exposed) portion of thecrimp sleeve 24 when the guide boot 10 and the connector 12 are fullymated. The resulting friction between the ribs 38 and the forwardportion of the crimp sleeve 24 helps to retain the guide boot 10 on theconnector 12.

The mating portion 28 covers a substantial entirety of the crimp sleeve24 when the guide boot 10 is fully mated with the connector 12. Inparticular, the overhang 40 covers the rearward portion of the crimpsleeve 24 (and the forward portion of the shrink tube 26 installedthereon) when the guide boot 10 is fully mated with the connector 12,and thereby serves to protect the shrink tube 26.

The guide boot 10 can be rotated in relation to the connector 12 tocause the cable 14 to extend in a desired direction upon exiting theguide boot 10 (as for cable organizing, etc.). The guide boot 10 isrotated by imparting a torque to the guide boot 10 sufficient toovercome the friction between the ribs 38 and the crimp sleeve 24. Thisaction causes the mating portion 28 to rotate around the crimp sleeve 24(and the underlying mating portion 12 a of the housing 12). (The cable14, which is secured to the connector 12 by way of the shrink tube 26and the crimp sleeve 24, does not rotate with the mating portion 28.)Furthermore, by the passage 34 having a diameter greater than the outerdiameter of the shrink tube 26, rotation of the guide boot 10 does notrotate the cable 14.

The mating portion 28 and the end portion 31 of the guide boot 10restrain the shrink tube 26 (and the underlying portion of the cable 14)so that the shrink tube 26 follows the interior surface 42 of the bodyportion 30. The curvature of the interior surface 42 imparts a bend tothe shrink tube 26. This bend is forty-five degrees in the guide boot10. In other words, the shrink tube 26 and the cable 14 enter the guideboot 10 by way of the mating portion 28 in a first direction, and exitthe guide boot 10 by way of the end portion 31 in a second direction.The angle between the first and second directions is approximately 45degrees (this angle is hereinafter referred to as the “bending angle” ofthe guide boot 10).

It should be noted that a particular bending angle for the guide boot 10is disclosed for exemplary purposes only. Alternative embodiments of theguide boot 10 can be configured to bend the cable 14 at virtually anyangle, including 90 degrees, provided the minimum bend radius of thecable 14 is not violated.

The relative stiffness of the guide boot 10, and in particular, the bodyportion 30, can prevent the cable 14 from being bent in excess of theradius of curvature of the body portion 30. (The radius of curvature ofthe body portion 30, as discussed above, should be approximately equalto or greater than the minimum bend radius of the cable 14.) The guideboot 10 thus enables the cable 14 to be bent so as to direct the cable14 toward a desired location, while protecting the cable 14 from beingbent beyond its minimum bend radius.

The guide boot 10, as discussed above, incorporates features that cansubstantially reduce the insertion force needed to mate the guide boot10 with the connector 12. For example, Applicant has measured theinsertion force needed to mate an actual embodiment of a guide bootsimilar to the guide boot 10 with an LC-type connector similar to theconnector 12. The results indicate that when using the invention,approximately four times less force is needed than is needed to mate aconventional guide boot with the same connector.

Reducing the insertion force needed to mate a guide boot such as theguide boot 10 with a connector such as the connector 12 can providesubstantial advantages. For example, reducing the insertion force and,more particularly, reducing the friction between the shrink tube 26 andthe mating portion 28 can substantially reduce the potential for damageto the optical fiber 16, as discussed with respect to prior art guideboots and connectors.

The relatively low insertion force needed mate the inventive guide boot10 with the connector 12 can thus reduce the potential for damage to theoptical fiber 16 when the guide boot 10 is mated with the connector 12.Moreover, the guide boot 10, and in particular the ribs 38, can generatesufficient friction to securely retain the guide boot 10 on theconnector 12 itself despite the low-insertion-force characteristics ofthe guide boot 10.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoingdescription, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes can be madein detail within the principles of the invention to the full extentindicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which theappended claims are expressed.

1. A guide boot for a fiber-optic cable mechanically coupled to aconnector, comprising: a mating portion having an interior surfacedefining a passage for receiving a portion of the connector and thefiber-optic cable, the passage having a diameter greater than an outerdiameter of the portion of the connector and the fiber optic cable; anda body portion adjoining the mating portion and having an interiorsurface that defines a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable, theinterior surface of the body portion being curved so that the bodyportion bends the fiber-optic cable.
 2. The guide boot of claim 1,further comprising an end portion for restraining the fiber-optic cable,the end portion adjoining the body portion and having an interiorsurface that defines a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable. 3.The guide boot of claim 1, further comprising an external rib formed onan exterior surface of the mating portion and an exterior surface of thebody portion.
 4. The guide boot of claim 1, wherein the body portion hasa window formed therein and the mating portion comprises an overhangadjacent the window.
 5. The guide boot of claim 1, wherein the interiorsurface of the mating portion does not generate a frictional force largeenough to damage a shrink tube of the connector when the guide boot ismated with to connector.
 6. A guide boot for bending a fiber-optic cablemechanically coupled to a connector by way of a crimp sleeve and ashrink tube, comprising: a mating portion, the mating portion having aninterior surface defining a passage for receiving the crimp sleeve and aportion of the shrink tube installed over the crimp sleeve, the passagehaving a diameter greater than an outer diameter of the portion of theshrink tube installed over the crimp sleeve; and a body portionadjoining the mating portion and having an interior surface defining apassage for receiving the fiber-optic cable.
 7. The guide boot of claim6, wherein the interior surface of the body portion is curved so thatthe body portion bends the fiber-optic cable.
 8. The guide boot of claim6, further comprising an end portion adjoining the body portion andhaving an interior surface that defines a passage for receiving thefiber-optic cable.
 9. The guide boot of claim 6, further comprising anexternal rib formed on an exterior surface of the mating portion and anexterior surface of the body portion.
 10. The guide boot of claim 6,wherein the body portion has a window formed therein and the matingportion comprises an overhang adjacent the window.
 11. The guide boot ofclaim 6, wherein the interior surface of the mating portion does notsubstantially interfere with the portion of the shrink tube installedover the crimp sleeve when the guide boot is mated with the connector.12. A system for conducting optical signals, comprising: a connector; acrimp sleeve fixed to the connector; a fiber-optic cable; a shrink tubehaving a first portion fixed to the crimp sleeve and a second portionfixed to the fiber-optic cable; and a guide boot comprising (i) a matingportion, the mating portion having an interior surface defining apassage for receiving the crimp sleeve and the first portion of theshrink tube, the passage having a diameter greater than an outerdiameter of the first portion of the shrink tube; and (ii) a bodyportion adjoining the mating portion and having an interior surfacedefining a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable; wherein by saidpassage having a diameter greater than the outer diameter of said shrinktube, rotation of said guide boot does not rotate said fiber-opticcable.
 13. The guide boot of claim 12, wherein the connector is anLC-type connector.
 14. The guide boot of claim 12, wherein the interiorsurface of the mating portion does not substantially interfere with thefirst portion of the shrink tube when the guide boot is mated with theconnector.
 15. A method for mating a guide boot with a connectormechanically coupled to a fiber-optic cable by way of a crimp sleeve anda shrink tube, comprising: inserting the fiber-optic cable through apassage formed in the guide boot; advancing the guide boot along thefiber-optic cable; advancing the guide boot onto the crimp sleeve; androtating the guide boot so that the fiber-optic cable extends from theguide boot in a desired direction without being twisted.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein rotating the guide boot so that the fiber-opticcable extends from the guide boot in a desired direction without beingtwisted comprises rotating the guide boot by between approximately 30degrees and approximately 360 degrees.
 17. The method of claim 15,wherein rotating the guide boot so that the fiber-optic cable extendsfrom the guide boot in a desired direction without being twistedcomprises rotating the guide boot by between approximately 60 degreesand approximately 360 degrees.
 18. The method of claim 15, whereinrotating the guide boot so that the fiber-optic cable extends from theguide boot in a desired direction without being twisted comprisesrotating the guide boot by between approximately 90 degrees andapproximately 360 degrees.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein rotatingthe guide boot so that the fiber-optic cable extends from the guide bootin a desired direction without being twisted comprises rotating theguide boot by more than approximately 90 degrees.